Our View

Our View

No-shows do no good for community

Concerned citizens who seek political positions, particularly on their local city councils, Quorum Court positions or even the local school boards do so with a sworn promise to serve with an unselfish commitment to those constituents who elected them.

The rewards from this public service is knowing the time and effort spent results in a better city, county government or local school district. While these local elected positions provide a great deal of self-satisfaction for those who take their responsibility seriously there are known sacrifices such as time spent away from family as well as time away from their business or job.

Public service is highly rewarding for those who take their political positions seriously, and those constituents they serve reap the positive benefits from their dedication to positions they were elected.

Oh sure, there are some perks to being a public servant. For example, being elected to the West Memphis City Council pays $9,600 per year plus the availability of health insurance, travel and auto allowances when attending out-of-town conferences such as the Arkansas Municipal League meetings.

It must be noted that there is no financial compensation for serving on the school board but, justices elected to the Quorum Court do receive such perks.

Let’s say the financial compensation is clearly a piddling amount but the fact of the matter it is money that we, as taxpayers, provide to those who dedicate their time and talent to the political positions they serve.

That brings us to the story printed in the Times on Monday, May 16 that exposed the attendance record of West Memphis council members.

Let us begin by commending Mayor Bill Johnson and Councilman Tracy Catt, both of whom had perfect attendance since the first of the year. And, we have to commend Councilwoman Romona Taylor who missed only once in the same time period. The voters who elected Helen Harris and Lorraine Robinson should certainly commend them both for only missing twice last year and once so far this year.

Then there is Councilman James Pulliaum who missed four meetings during the entire period, which isn’t all that bad.

That is where the good meets the bad regarding council attendance by these elected representatives of the people.

As the Times story pointed out, Councilman Willis Mondy missed eight times last year which represents one-third of all the meetings this year. And, Councilwoman Melainie Hutchinson played hooky eight times during the last year-and-a-half.

Oh, it gets even worse with Councilmen Taz Tyrone and Marco McClendon not bothering to show up for official council meetings 14 times since the start of the last year. McClendon racked up the most absences (17), including just one council meeting appearance in 2016. This is absolutely disgraceful for anyone who holds public office and fails to represent the constituents who elected them. It is bad enough that they waste no time in taking the taxpayer’s money and not bothering to do the job they were elected to do but what is worse is the fact that they aren’t looking out for the best interest of the wards they were elected to serve or the city as a whole.

These public servants are negligent in their responsibilities and should have the common sense to simply resign so that someone can take their place that will do a better job.